Dental instrument



Feb. 17. I925.

- 1,526,619 F. L. WILLIAMS DENTAL INSTRUMEiQT Original Filed April 5. 1921 5 52 INVENT OR.

if FL. IVILL/A/XS I TTORNEY.

Patented Feb. 17, 1925.

UNITED STATES FRANK L. WILLIAMS, OF DENVER, COLORADO.

DENTAL INSTRUMENT.

Application filed April 5, 1921, Serial To all whom. it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK L. humans,

a citizen of the United States, residing at Denver, in the county of Denver and State of Colorado, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Dental Instruments, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to dental instruments and its primary object isto provide a mechanism of simple and highly efficient construction which in the practice of prosthesis, indicates the sizes, positions and angles of artificial teeth on a dental model of the formation of a jaw according to geometric calculations.

With this object in view, my invention resides in the arrangen'ient of pai ts and details of construction hereinafter to be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in the various views of which like parts are similarly designated and in which Figure 1 is a sectional side elevation of the instrument in its operative position;

Figure 2, a fragmentary front elevation of the same looking in the direction of the arrow A, Figure 1;

Figure 3, a horizontal section taken on the line 33, Figure 1;

Figure 4C, a section on the line 4-4, Figure Figure 5, a section along the line 55,

Figure 1, and, Figure 6, a fractional sectional elevation of the model holding means shown in Figure 1.

The instrumentof the present invention has been shown in the drawings in association with an articulator of the type disclosed in my application for patent. Serial No. 458674, filed April 5, 1921, but I desire it understood that while the two instruments are particularly adapted for cooperation to accurately locate artificial teeth in dental models of the upper and lower jaws in prosthetic dentistry, the instrument which forms the subject of this application may be used successfully in connection with other means adapted for its adjustable support relative to a holder for the model, in the p "actise of either prosthesis or orthodontia.

In the construction shown in the drawings, the reference character 2 designates the standard of an articulator of the character above referred to which through the medium of a ball and socket joint 3, is cou- NO. 458,675. Renewed April 21, 1923.

nected to a clamp a by means of which it is attached to the edge of a table, workbench or other suitable support.

The standard has two longitudinal slideways 5 and 6 which connect with slots in opposite sides of the same. The slideway (i is partially occupied by the rack-bar 7 of a bracket 8 upon which a model clamp 9 is adjustably supported. A pinion 10 on a headed shaft which is mounted in bearings on the standard cooperates with the rack to adjust the position of the bracket in a vertical direction and a nut 12 on the threaded end of the Shaft serves to secure the bracket in its adjusted positions.

The bracket and the adjustably mounted clamp constitute conjointly the lower model holding member of the articulator, and the clamp which in its preferred form consists of a slotted plate, a pair of opposed slidably mounted clamping jaws 13, and screws 13 which act upon the jaws to move them in the slots, has a plurality of set screws 1% which serve to adjust a dental model fastened between the jaws, in the occlusal plane determined in the operation of the present iiivention as will hereinafter be described.

The articulator has an upper model-holding member which after the teeth in a dental model of the lower jaw supported on the lower member, have been properly positioned by the use of the present invention. may be placed in superposed relation thereto to correspondingly locate the teeth on the model of the upper jaw.

The upper model holding member comprises a bracket- 15 which is pivoted as at lit at the upper end of the standard and a clamp 17 similar to that of the lower member. which is adjustably carried on the bracket. The clamp is to this end pivotally connected at an end of a rack bar 17 which is slidable in a groove of the bracket 15 and which meshes with a pinion 15'' on a spindle which is rotatably mounted at an end of the bracket. The spindle has a knurled head to facilitate its manual rotation.

In order to connect the locating instrument to the articulator in operative relation to the lower model-holding member, the upper member is removed from the space above the same by moving it about its pivot to the position shown in Figure 1 of the drawings.

The locating instrument which forms the subject of this application, consists of a of the longitudinal slot of the sleeve to clamping'ly engage thepin forthe purpose of fastening the sleeve in its adjusted position. The collar has to this end atopposite sides ot, its divisional slot, ears provided with axially -alined apertures oneoi which: is threaded to cooperate witlra clamping screw 22 passingfihrQugh the other.

A rack 23 on, the post :extending,=in the slot of its slideway, meshes with a-Jpinion 24 on a headed bolt 26 which is rotatably-supported in hearings on the; standard "and a knurled nut 25.011 the threaded end of the bolt, is provided toclamp theipi-nion against rotation and thereby lock the post in its'ad- -.justedpositions.

Thesleeve .19 which is rotatably supported at the upper end of-thepostas:hereinbefore described, hasat oppo'site sides of its longitudinal slot, lugs which are apenturedi'or the support of the shaft of a pinion 27 which meshes with the before-mentioned rackbar'QO.

A- milled headEon, the shaft provides for its manual rotationand a nut 2S-screwecl upon the threaded end of the same serves to lock the bar in the positions tofwhich it has been, moved 'by rotation of the pinion.

Rigidly fastened attheend of the rack bar through theJmediuinof a screwthreaded stud and erect nut-29'is a horizontally positioned circular plate :30 the peripheral edge of which; is beveled for the application of agraduated, scale, 31.

The plate provides a support for the indicating element o-f my invention which in the operation thereof functions to determine the width, angle and position of artificial-teeth on the wax trial plate of a dental model fastened in a relatively stationary position on the clamp of the lower holding member.

The indicator comprises a head 32 mounted-to rotate 'in the axis of the'circular plate, a tubular holder 33 which is pivotally eoniiected to'the head to move about an axis at right angles to its axis of rotation, and a pointer 3 which is slidably fitted in'the holder. I

The head of theindicator has a shoulder in contact with '1 the lower surface of the supporting plate, and a pin 32 which extends loosely through a central opening of the same and a nut 35 is screwed upon the threaded extremity of the pin to clampingly engage the upper surface of the plate.

The pivotal connection between the head and the holder is established through the medium of a headed pivot pin 36 passing onthe head which connects in-g plate.

ber of'the articulator. :on 'the'relatively movable parts of'theinstrhthrough alined apertures oi the cooperating members of a,hinge joint formedintegrally with-the parts, and a nut 37 which is-se'rewed upon the threaded end of the pivot pin and which engagement with one of the members of the jointlocks the holder in its ad- .jus.ted..po sitions.

index Ktl the end t ot. which is bent across the peripheral -edge of; the supporting plate totcooperate'with the eircu-larsoale thereof. A segmental plate 42r-ig-idly tastenedto the hinge member {of the head and-extending I alongside the holder in a plane parallel to its longitudinal axis, has atjitsperipheral edge a graduatedvscale; 43 -whic'h in-ithe operation of, the instrument tunctionsto indicate the angular positiono-f the; indicator relative -tothe vertical passing through its axis of rotation on the supporting platev30, by cooperation with an index 4% fastened to the holder.

The slidably mounted pointer ebears a graduated scale 45 which registersv with the end of the holder to indicate the length of the indicator from the extreme end of the pointertothe axis of rotation of; the holder it to the support- A scale46 applied to thest'andardxalong the slotof the slideway 5 cooperates with an indicating mark 47 on the slidingpost to designate the elevation oftheaxis of rotation of the indicator relative to the model holding plate of the lowersupportingmem- The difierent' scales ment are graduated accordingto geometric calculations and the operator in order to determine the location, angle and width of artificial teeth on adental model bythe operation of the instrument requires theuseof one ior more charts whichby referenceto the scales give theposition ot'the indicator and the other parts of the instrument with which it: is associated for each tooth lin the occlusal arch.

A'fter the upper holding member ofth'e *articulator has been moved to itsinoperative position as shown in Flgure 1, and the post of the locating-instrument is-ins'ert'ed inthe shdeway'ot' the standard in cooperative relation to the p1n1on,-the indicator is adjusted to a position in vertical alinement with a predetermined center point on the plate "of the lower holding member by adjustment of thesleeve 19am} the rack-bar which is slidably supported therein.

' A dental model of the formation of the lower jaw including a wax trial-plate is now fastened between the clamping jaws on the plate of the lower holding member and is leveled by the use of the set screws 14 to place its upper surface in the occlusal plane.

This plane is determined by swinging the indicator about its vertical axis on the supporting plate after it has been placed at an angle to said axis and the model is adjusted in the plane by turning the set'screws until three separate points of its upper surface, preferablyat the extremities and the middle of its occlusal arch are engaged by the end of the pointer.

The model is also moved by adjustment of the holding member of the articulator to arrange its medial line, i. e., the line passing through the apex of its occlusal arch at equal distances from the ends thereof, in the plane of the movement of the pointer swinging about its transverse axis on the head of the indicator after the latter has been turned on the supporting plate to a position in which its index registers with a point of the graduated circular scale at right angles to the direction of the linear movement of the rack-bar 20.

After the dental model on the lower supporting member of the articulator and the operating parts of the superposed locating instrument are thus relatively adjusted, the width, angle and relative positions of the artificial teeth 011 the model are readily determined through the medium of the different scales by reference to the geometric charts'which designate the graduations on the scales with which the respective indexes must register to place the teeth in the proper position in the occlusal plane with relation to each other and the medial line of the occlusal arch. v

' To attain this result the elevation and length of the indicator are first of all adjusted to correspond with the proportions of the arch of the dental model, by moving the post longitudinally in its slideway and slid ing the pointer in its holder to the position given on the charts and determined by their respective scales.

After the indicator has thus been adjusted in accordance with the size of the arch, each tooth is located therein at the proper angle and in the correct position with relation to the medial line of the arch and to the centers of the next adjoining teeth by adjusting the indicator according to the charts through the medium of the cooperating horizontal and vertical scales, it being understood that the charts indicate the graduations on the scale .to which the indicator is adjusted for each tooth in the arch.

. Having thus described my invention what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In an instrument of the character de scribed, the combination with a support, of means for holding a dental model, an instrument superposed above a model held by said means, said instrument including a straight member adapted to indicate the location of teeth on said model and means for determining the position of said member according to predetermined measurements, and means whereby said straight member may be angularly adjusted with respect to the upper surface of the model.

2. In an instrument of the character described, the combin'ation, with means for holding a dental model, of a support, and an angularly adjustable indicator mounted to move thereon about an axis to any point of the occlusal arch of a model on said holding means, the support bearing scales to determine the position of the indicator for difierent teeth in said arch.

3. In an instrument of the character de scribed, the combination with a support and means thereon for holding a dental model, of a vertically adjustable member on the support, there being a scale on the support to determine the positions of the member relative to a model on said holding means, and an angularly adjustable indicator mounted on the member to; move about an axis to any point of the occlusal arch of the model, the member bearing scales to determine the position of the indicator for different teeth in said arch.

4. In an instrument of the character described, the combination with a support and means thereon for holding a dental model, of a vertically adjustable member on the support, there being a scale on the support to determine the positions of the member relative to a model on said holding means. and an extensible angularly adjustable indicator mounted on the member to move about a vertical axis to any point of the occlusal arch of the model, said indicator bearing a scale determining its length and said member bearing scales determining the position of the indicator for difi'erent teeth in said arch.

5. In an instrument of the character de scribed, the combination with means for holding a dental model, of a support, and a longitudinally extensible and angularly adjustable indicator mounted thereon to move about an axis to any point in the occlusal arch of a model on said holding means, said indicator bearing a graduated scale determining its length and said support hearing scales determining the position of the indicator for difi'erent teeth in said arch.

6. In an instrument of the character described, the combination with a modelholder, of a support, an angularly adjustable indicator mounted thereon to move about an axis to any point of the occlusal lJU arch of a dental m'odel on said-holder, said support-bearing scales determiningthe position of the indicator for different teeth in said arch, and means on theholder to, adjust a model to a plane determined by the movement of the indicator.

7. In an instrument of the character described, the combination with a standard and a model-holding member thereon, of, a support vertically movable on the standard, and an, angularly adjustable indicator mounted on thesupportwto move about an axis toany point in the-occlusal.arcl1 of a dental model on SalCl 1118l11b61,-$3ltl support bearing scales determiningthe position .of the indicator for different teeth in said arch. I

1 8. In an instrument of the-character described, the combinationof a. standard, a support'vertically movable thereon, and-an angularly adjustable.- i ndic'atormounted on the support tomove about avertical, axis, said supportbearingscales designating predetermined positions of the indicator.

9, In. an instrument of; the character described, the combination of a standard having a slidew'ay,-a support having a rackbar in 'saidslideway, a rotary. pinion on the standard cooperating with the rack-bar, and an angularly adjustable indicator mounted on the support to. move about a vertical axis, said support bearing. scales. .to desig- 'nate predeterminedpositions of the inclicator. V

10. An instrument of the character described, comprising a support bearing a circular scale, a11 inclicator composed of a head mounted to rotate about a vertical axis in the center-of the scale, the headhaving an index cooperating,withsaid ,scale and bearing a vertical scale, and. a. pointer movable about atransverse axison .the head and havingl 'an index cooperating With the last-mentioned scale.

11. An instrument of; the characterudescribed, comprising a support bearing, a circular scale, an indicator composed of a head -mounted to;.rotate about: a vertical axis in the center of the scale, the head having an index cooperating, with said scale and bearing a vertical scale, and a longitudinally extensible pointer movable about a transverseaxis on the ,head and having an ,index cooperatii 1g with the last-mentioned scale. 12. An instrument ot' the character de scribed comprising, a support bearinga circular scale, an indicator composed of a head mounted to rotate about avertical axisin the centeiuot thescale, the head havinganindex cooperating with said scale and bearing a vertical scale, a holder movable about a transverse axis on theehead and having an ind-ex cooperating with the lastmentioned scale, and a graduated pointer I longitudinally, adjustable on the holder.

13. In 1 an instrument ofgthe character described, a; support, a vertically adjustable member thereongbearinga horizontal circu bearing,- a vertical. scale, and ,a pointer movable about a transverseaxiscn the head and havingv an index cooperating with the last-mentionedscale. V

la -In ,aninstrument. of the character described, a. support, a: horizon-tally adjustable ,member thereone bearing, ahorizontal circular scale, an indicator composed cf a headhmounted' to rotate about a vertical ZtXlS. l1'l the center of the scale, the head having an index cooperating with said 'scale andbearing a vertical scale, and. a pointer movable about a transverse axis n the head and having an index cooperating with the last-mentioned scale. 4

15. In an instrument otthe character described,, a support a pivotally; mounted member thereon bearing a horizontal circular scale, anindicator composedkof a head mounted to rotate.about a vertical axis in the center of the scale, the head having an index cooperating with saidscale "and lbearing a. vertical scale, and a pointer movable about a transverse axison the head and having anindex' cooperating with the lash mentioned scale. 7 16. In an instrument of the character described, a support, a. pivotally 1 and horizontally adjustable member thereon bearing a horizontal circular scale, an indicator composed of ahead mounted to rotateabout aflvertical axis in the center of the scale, the head ghavingvan index cooperatingwith said scale and hearing a verticaliscaleyand a pointer movable about a transverseaxis on the headfandhaving an index cooperat- 'ing with the last-mentioned scale.

17. -In an ,instrumentof ,the character described, a. stanc larchapost vertically adj ustable', thereon, a pivoted and horizontal ly adjustable member on the post, bearing a, horizontal, circular scale, -an indicator composed of a head mounted to .rota'teaboii't a vertical axis, in, the center, of the scale, the head having an index cooperati,11g witl1 said ,scale and bearing. a vertical scale, and

a -poin-ter movable about a transverse :axis onthe head and hav'mgan index cooperating with the flastanentioned scale.

18. In an instrument of the character described, a standard, a post vertically. adjustable, thereon, av-slidable member on fltlie post bearing a horizontal :cireular scale, an indicator.composedofa head mounted to rotate about vertical [axis ,inv the. center of the scale, thehead having an index .cooperating withsaid seale;.andf.bearing a vertical scale, and a pointer movable about a transverse axis on the head and having an index cooperating with the last-mentioned scale.

19. In an instrument of the character described, an upright post, a transverse sleeve pivoted thereon, means for clamping the sleeve to said post, a bar slidable on the sleeve and bearing a circular scale, an indicator composed of a head mounted to rotate about a vertical axis in the center of the scale, the head having an index cooperating with said scale and bearing a vertical scale, and a pointer movable about a transverse axis on the head and having an index cooperating with the last-mentioned scale.

20. In an instrument of the character described, an upright post, a transverse sleeve thereon, a rack bar slidable on the sleeve and bearing a circular scale, a rotary pinion on the sleeve meshing with the rack bar, an indicator composed of a head mounted to rotate about a vertical axis in the center of the scale, the head having an index cooperating with said scale and bearing a vertical scale, and a pointer movable about a transverse axis on the head and having an index cooperating with the last-mentioned scale.

21. In an instrument of the character described, the combination with a dental model support, of an indicating device for locating and measuring teeth on a model on the support and including a pointer mounted for circular movement about a fixed axis and pivot-ally adjustable in a plane of said axis, there being scales on said inclicater to designate the positions of the pointer according to predetermined measurements, and means for supporting said indicator above said dental model support.

22. In an instrument of the character described, the combination with a dental model support, of an indicating device for locating and measuring teeth on a model on the support and including an extensible pointer mounted for circular movement about a fixed axis and pivotally adjustable in a plane of said axis, there being scales on said indicator to designate the positions of the pointer according to predetermined measurements, and means for supporting said indicator above said dental model support.

23. In an instrument of the character described, the combination with a dental model support, of an indicating device for locating and measuring teeth on a model on the support and including an extensible pointer mounted for circular movement about a fixed axis and pivotally adjustable in a plane of said axis, there being scales on said indicator to designate the positions and the length of the pointer according to predetermined measurements, and means for sup porting said indicator above said dental m'odel support.

24. In an instrument of the character described, the combination with a dental model support, of an indicating device for locating and measuring teeth on a model on the support, including a fixed scale, a pivoted scale at right angles to the other, an index co-operating with the fixed scale to designate the relative position of the pivoted scale, and a pivoted pointer having an index designating its position relative to the pivoted scale, and means for supporting said indicator above said dental model support.

25. In an instrument of the character described, the combination with a dental model support, of an indicating device for locating and measuring teeth on a model on the support, including a fixed scale, a pivoted scale at right angles to the other, an index co operating with the fixed scale to designate the relative position of the pivoted scale, and a pivoted longitudinally extensible pointer having an index designating its position relative to the pivoted scale, and means for supporting said indicator above said dental model support.

26. In an instrument of the character described, the combination with a dental model support, of an indicating device for locating and measuring teeth on a model on the support, including a fixed scale, a pivoted scale at right angles to the other, an index cooperating with the fixed scale to designate the relative position of the pivoted scale. and a pivoted longitudinally extensible pointer having an index designating its position relative to the pivoted scale, and bearing a scale to designate the position of its extremity relative to its pivotal axis, and means for supporting said indicator above said dental model support.

In testimony whereof I have aflixed my signature.

FRANK L. WILLIAMS. 

